Summer Living

So summer is a very interesting time for a college student. For me, college is 5 hours away and none of my friends are from closer than 45 minutes away and there are probably only 2 or 3 that are that close right now. So for socializing, I'm stuck trying to fit in time with the people I still talk to but often fail to get ahold of them and end up in awkward social situations with people you don't really like. Take for instance grad parties today. I trotted around for about an hour with a group of people that honestly neglected me in high school. Why did I continue to trot around with them? Who knows. But let me tell you, it was a little awkward. Anyway, I lost badly to a 45 year old in tennis this morning. Apparently he's actually really legit (top ten in the nation for his age) but I still kind of felt like a piece of shit. Whatever it's cool. I start working significantly more Monday and man I'm excited. Not necessarily for the money, but I miss having my schedule somewhat decided for me. It makes me actually do the things I want to because I don't have all day available. Also, some of the little tennis kids are adorable and very funny. If anyone actually reads this, call me up! Summer's starting to get a little bored and if you care enough to read my blog, you must like me.

Waves

Its kind of funny to watch your life kind of go in waves. School is a great example. School work always tends to escalate the week where you're busy one more night than usual and you have to leave for the weekend for one reason or another. Summer is very similar. Sometimes there are more people calling me to do things than I could possibly fit in and still get work done. Other times, such as these last couple of days, I haven't heard from anyone, and I really don't have anything else to occupy my time. It's kind of bizzare. I am enjoying summer however. As much as I miss people at Coe, the 612 is a nicer place than Cedar Rapids and its a good change being able to sleep a full 7 to 8 hours each night. However, I need to figure out how to make money. God damn economy. I should probably get on that right away.

Potentials

So today, my friend Dusty Boyer won the Minnesota State high school league AA tennis championship. the boy has worked hard all year and out of all the good tennis players i know, he is probably the least arrogant. i went with a couple of my friends from my tennis club to go watch and were pleased to see our old teaching pros that we had in high school were there to support one of their players. before the final after watching dusty win his semifinal match, one of them told me something that was somewhat upsetting. well maybe upsetting isnt the word but it made me thing. what he said was "this could have been you jon". when i think about it, it definitely could have been. I'm a hard worker, talented, smart, composed, and very dedicated to the things i do so last year, it very well could be. in fact, it probably should have been. but in reality, not only did i not win state but i didnt even make it there. sure i was sick a lot during the season and i had trouble with my shoulder. honestly i kind of chocked it away. although this is probably not a big part of the problem, its unsettling to think about. what if i was afraid to reach my true potential? was i afraid to put myself out there and lose just before the final. if this is a problem with me, not that i think it was at all, its impact will go far far beyond the tennis court. if anyone were ever afraid to reach their true potential, then they'll likely never even reach the modest goals they set for themselves for fear of having to push themselves farther.

Nadal Losing

For most people, they don't quite understand what happend today. Rafael Nadal, who was thought to be unbeatable on clay, lost to a relatively unknown player. Most people would take this as a lesson teaching young children that "Anything is possible!". The way I look at it is different. In reality, Nadal had to lose eventually. Unless he retired beforehand which may be 10 years from now, he eventually had to lose at the French Open. What I take out of it is that things will happen at completely unexpected times. Personally I wanted Nadal to lose so Federer can win the French Open. My point is that you may have to wait a long time for something wonderful to happen or for a chance of a lifetime, but when opportunity strikes, you have to be ready to capitalize on that chance. It's a lesson I myself need to learn as much as anybody else.